Comets soar on Senior Night

Thursday

Feb 21, 2013 at 10:00 AM

By Ed Patinoed.patino@hillsdale.netJONESVILLE — Once it picked up its defensive intensity, the Jonesville High School boys basketball team never lost control.A dominating defensive effort in the second half helped the Comets to a 42-30 victory over the Athens Indians in a Big Eight Conference game Wednesday.The game was originally scheduled for Tuesday, but Athens did not have class that day. By league rule, if a school has an off day, then the team does not play that night.Jonesville (9-9, 7-5 Big Eight) shut out the Indians in the third quarter to wipe out a one-point halftime deficit. After outscoring Athens 12-0 in the third, the Comets scored the first five points of the fourth quarter and never looked back."We started being more active on defense and were able to put the game out of reach," Jonesville coach Larry Sheerer said. "Everyone got to play and it was a good game for Senior Night."The teams exchanged the lead in the first half. After Jonesville built a one-point lead by the end of the first quarter, Athens rallied to take a 19-18 lead into halftime.Jonesville's big run in the third staked it to an 11-point lead entering the fourth, then the Comets extended their advantage to 35-19 early in the frame.Kyle Jones had 12 points to lead Jonesville, while Kyler Gimenez added seven points and three assists. Brandon Jenkins had five points, three assists and five steals. Caleb Taylor and Ben Ackerson also scored five points apiece, while Wes Racker had four points and seven rebounds. Aaron Cleveland handed out three assists.The Comets will travel to Springport on Friday.Pittsford 70, Waldron 48Strong starts to each half lifted the Pittsford High School boys basketball team to a big road victory over the Waldron Spartans in a Southern Central Athletic Association game Wednesday.Pittsford (14-2, 13-1 SCAA) gained control of the game early, racing to a 20-6 lead in the first quarter. Waldron (6-12, 5-9 SCAA) battled back in the second quarter, matching baskets with the Wildcats and pulling to within 29-17 by halftime.The Wildcats regained the momentum in the third quarter, scoring 25 points in the frame to pull away."We started quick but let off the accelerator a bit," Pittsford coach Mike Burger said. "We regrouped in the third quarter. Waldron always plays us hard."In the closing minute of the game, Waldron senior Landon Fellows, who suffered a season-ending knee injury last week, was brought into the game to score his final prep basket. Following the basket, Fellows was greeted with an ovation from both the home fans and Pittsford fans."To me Landon embodies what Waldron's program is all about, and that's hard work," Burger said. "We were glad to have his last basket come against us, because he's a great kid."Josh Vance scored 21 points and handed out six assists to lead the Wildcats. Kyler Lee added 14 points, while Luke Smith had 10 points. Andy Houser grabbed nine rebounds.Levi Long scored a game-high 22 points to lead Waldron. A.J. Merfeld added 12 points, while Taner Cooper finished with eight points.Pittsford will host Camden-Frontier on Friday.